Gasket.



C. F. HETTINGBR.

GASKET.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.25, 1913.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

WITNESS/:"8 ci hw Arr/uvm fr A UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

CHARLES F. HETTINGER, 0F CAMDEN, NEW "JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO FEEXITLLI GASKET COMPANY, 0F CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

GASKET.

Specication of Letters Patent. y j Patented Mal'. 3, 1914.

Application led January 25, 1913. Serial No. 744,111.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it `known that I, CHARLES F, lHET- TINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, in the county of Camden and Sta-te of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gaskets, of which the following is a speelfication.

This invention relates to gaskets for preventing the escape of fluid under pressure.

The object of the invention is to provide a gasket so constructed that it possesses great strength, is sufficiently elastic to permit of spreading without injury, is compact and rigid, will not blow out or crush under extreme pressure, and is highly efli#y cient in the performance of its function.

This invention involves the provision of a gasket, preferably of lannular form, consisting of a plurality of convolutions of a metallic strip and a strip of suitable packing material. Preferably the plurality of convolutions are formed by winding the metallic strip and the packing strip spirally. In accordance with the invention, the metallic strip prior to being spiraled is curved transversely by bending it along lines ex tending lengthwise thereof, so as to provide on each convolution of the strip a portion which projects laterally into coaction with the neXt adjacent convolution. Furthermore the coacting portions of adjacent convolutions are interlocked in such a manner that injurious spreading of adjacent convolutions is effectively precluded. In the embodiment of the invention which I prefer to employ, the strip is curved transversely so as to provide a loop exten-ding laterally from the body of the strip intermediate the edges thereof such that when the strip is spiraled theloop on each convolution will telescojfe with the loop of the next outer convolution, and these two telescoping portions are interlocked so as to hold the two convolutions at the requisite distance apart. The portions of the strip lying o n either side of the loop in the strip are curved transversely, as in this way they are made much more strong in resisting a crushing strain. The packing material is wound spirally with the metallic strip in the -spaces between adjacent convolutions and on either side of the loop formed in the strip. This packing material preferably projects a small amount beyond the planes high.

of the edges of the metallic strip so, as to provide pads of the packing material which coact with the surfaces between which the gasket is inserted. The efficiency of the gasket in preventing leakageis further increased by having the loop on the innermost spiral open to the interior of an annular gasket, so that the interior of this loop 1s in connection with the space within fwhich the fluid under pressure is confined.

In this way the pressure of the fluid is allowed to enter within the loop in the innermost spiral and tends to `expand the walls of the loop so that the packing material is forced outwardly into more effective contact with the walls between which the gasket is inserted.

I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a sectional view of a gasket constructed in accordance with the invent-ion, in position between two flanges of a piece of mechanism, Fig. 2 is a perspective view'of a piece of the gasket, Fig. 3 is a View illustrating the method of shaping the metallic strip, Fig. 4 is a sectional View of the gasket illustrating a slight modification, and Fig. 5 isa plan view of the complete gasket.

Referring to these drawings, Fig. 1 shows a gasket 6 in position between two flanges 7 of a container adapted to hold a fluid under pressure, such, for instance, as the cylinder of an engine or pump. The gasket 6 is inserted between the two flanges 7 and then those flanges are drawn together in hard contact with the gasket, and the latter must be able to sustain a great crushing strain and prevent escape of the liquid, even though the pressure of the latter be very j The gasket is of annular form and consists of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip and a suitable n0n-metallic packing material, such, for instance, as an asbestos composition. Preferably, the metallic strip is wound edgewise in the form ofa spiral and the str-ip of packing is wound simultaneously with the metallic strip so that it lies in the spaces between the adjacent convolutions of the metallic strip. Prior to winding the metallic strip spirally, this strip is bent along lines eX- tending lengthwise thereof, so as to give it a transverse curvature necessary to provide l0 projecting laterally from the body-por-` tion of the strip. This having been done, a strip of the packing material l1 is laid upon 'each side of the loop or laterally projecting portion l0, with its side against'the adjacent curved portion 9. The metallic strip thus shaped and having the strips of packing material thereon, is then wound spirally in such a way that the concave side of the curved portions E) of each succeeding convolution lies against the sides of the strips ofpacking ll opposite those engaged by the convex surfaces of the curved portions 9 of the preceding convolution. llVhen the strip is wound in this way, the lateral projection or loop l0 of each convolution will enter within and telescope with the projection or loop l0 of the next succeeding convolution. At the time ot spiraling the strip in this way, the projection l0 of each convolution is crimped or contracted at a point about midway of its length, as shown at 12, so as to provide depressions in the outer sides of the loop l0, into which the corners of the A next adjacent convolution at the junction of the curved portions 9 and the loop l0 thereof may enter. ln this way the two convolutions are interlocked in such a way that they will offer strong resistance to injurious spreading. lf necessary, the two corners of the strip at the junction of the loop and the two curved portions 9 thereof may be pressed together by suitable tools so that they will be carried Well into the depressions formed in the sides of the loop 10, and thus insure a proper interlocking of those parts.

In addition to the prevention of injurious spreading of the convolutions of a gasket by means of the interlock provided between each pair of adjacent convolutions, the loop construction herein described involves a further important advantage. It will be seen that the loop in the innermost spiral is open to the interior of the gasket, so that the fiuid under pressure within the container may enter within this loop. The pressure of the fluid within this loop tends to expand the loop by forcing its walls apart` and as a result of this the strips of packing lying adjacent to the walls of the loop are forced outwardly so that they are pressed into hard contact with the flanges 7 between which the gasket lies. In further preventing the escape of the fluid under pressure through the spaces between the gasket and the flanges incense 7, l prefer to employ strips of packing material ll of such size that they project slightly beyond the planes of the edges of the couvolutions of the metallic strip. This is shown in Fig. Q, where the packing 1l is shown as projecting beyond the edges of the metallic strip.'

Preferably, the ends of the spirally wound gasket are interlocked with the convolutions o the gasket in such a way as to hold the parts in proper relative positions and at the same time provide for a slight amount of relative movement in order to allow for same spreading without injury. ln some cases it may be desirable to leave the ends of the metallic strip ot a gasket loose, so that slight movement of the convolutions may take place. These ends may, however, be secured to the convolutions adjacent thereto in anysuitable manner, as for instance, by electric welding or soldering. lnstead of securing the ends to the adjacent convolutions in this way, however, l may employ endless bands or rings, one within and one at `the periphery of an annular gasket,` these bands being arranged to hold the adjacent end of the spirally wound metallic strip in position against the adjacent convolution of the strip. Such an' endless band or ring is shown in Figs. fl and 5, at 13, this band being made trom a piece ot'l wire which is cut to the proper length and inserted in position within thc opening in the gasket and having its ends welded together. lin the present instance, the hand or ring 13 is shown as positioned by the depression formed at the opening leading to the interior ot' the loop l0, but it will be understood that suoli a ring or band as that shown in Figs. l and 5 may be employed in connection with gaskets differing in construction from that here described, but involving the use of one or more spirallv wound strips. A similar endless band or ring is shown at 14 located on the periphery of the gasket. ln this instance the ring 14 is shown as a thin strip of sheet-metal laid over the loop of the outermost convolution, the strip being curved so that it will remain in its proper position.

lf desirable, the-two faces of the gasket maybe saturated with graphite or other suitable substance, to prevent the gasket from sticking to the flanges between which it lies, and when desired the surface of the gasket may be waterproofed.

-A gasket constructed as herein illustrated and described is very effective in preventing the escape of fluid under pressure and at the same time it possesses such elastic strength that, there is little or no danger ot crushing the spirals of the gasket, even though the gasket be subjected to extreme pressure in drawing the flanges 7 togethernpon the gasket. Furthermore, the Adanger of inlOl? .lli

nected by jurious spreading of the convolutions of the gasket is prevented by the provision of an integral projection on yeach convolution which coacts with the adjacent convolution in such manner as to interlock therewith and thus hold the two convolutions at a predetermined distance apart, This provision of lateral projections on the several convolutions not only affords an interlock, but also provides the interior of an annular gasket with a groove into which the compressed fluid mayenter so that it will tend to force the packing material outwardly against the surfaces between which the gasket lies. j.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip, the strip of each convolution having a portion thereon extending laterally from the body-portion of the strip and coacting with the next adjacent convolution, the several convolutions being spaced apartbut consaid laterally extending portions, and non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions, substantially as set forth.

2. An annular gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip wound spirally, each convolution being interlocked radially of the gasket with the adjacent convolution to limit relative radial Amovement of the convolutions, and non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions, substantially as set forth.

3. A gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of -metallic strip wound spirally on edge with the adjacent convolutions spaced apart but connected together by integral portions of the strip, and non-metallic packing in the spaces between adjacent convolutions, substantially as set forth.

4. A gasket comprising the combination of a .plurality ofconvolutions of metallic strip Wound spirally on edge, the strip of each convolution having an integral portion intermediate the edges of the strip extending laterally into co-action with the next adjacent convolution, and -non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions on each side of the laterally extending portion lying between those convolutions.

5. A gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip, the strip of each convolution having a portion thereon extending laterally from the body-portion of the strip and coacting with the next adjacent convolution, and nonmetallic material between adjacent convolutions on each side of the said laterally-extending portion, substantially as set forth. 6. An annular gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip, the strip of each convolution having an integral looped portion intermediate the edges of the strip extending laterally into co-action with the next adjacent convolution, and the looped portion of the innermost convolution being in open communication with the interior of the annular gasket, and non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions on each side of the laterally extending portion connecting those convolutions.

.7. A gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip, the strip of each convolution having a body-portion and an integral portion intermediate the edges of the strip extending laterally from the body-portion and the laterally-extending portion of each convolution entering within the laterally extending portion of the next adjacent convolution, and

non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions on both sides of the laterally extending portion of one of the two adjacent convolutions, substantially as set forth.

8. A gasket comprising the combination of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip, the strip of each convolution comprising a body-portion in two parts and an integral laterally-extending looped portion between the two parts of the body-portion, the

looped portions of the several convolutions being in engagement and forming a continuous body of metal through the gasket in the plane thereof, and non-metallic material between adjacent convolutions on both sides of 'the looped portion extending between those as set forth.

convolutions, substantially the combination 9. A gasket comprising of a plurality of convolutions of metallic strip wound spirally on edge, said strip being curved transversely to provide two curved portions lying in substantially the same plane and between them a loop extending laterally from the remaining portion of the strip, and packing material between adjacent convolutions lon both' sides of said loop, substantially as set fort This specification signed this 18th day of January, 1913.

CHARLES F. HETTINGER. Witnesses:

WM. J. EARNSHAW, J oHN B. KILBURN.

and witnessed 

